The Chargers selected former Arizona safety Genesis Smith with the No. 131 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The pick was acquired through a trade with the Patriots, where the Chargers moved down from No. 55 to No. 63 to gain extra assets, including this selection.
Smith is a high-upside centerfield safety with elite vertical range and ball skills, though he needs to improve his tackling consistency for the NFL.
Smith finished his college career with 164 total tackles, 5 interceptions, and 19 pass deflections across 37 games.
The Chargers prioritized high-upside coverage skills with this pick, banking on their coaching staff to fix his tackling issues at the professional level.
Smith joins a safety room headlined by Derwin James Jr. He is expected to compete with players like Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, and RJ Mickens for rotational snaps.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Chargers pick S Genesis Smith at No. 131 overall
Reporting by Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
